Hiram Moreno
There are many reasons to be happy for both Los Angeles Rams fans and the team and for Aaron Donald, who put an end to surrounding rumors about a possible transfer: his permanence in the franchise has been confirmed… and how not to be, considering the contract that he was offered.
However, the player’s stay continues until 2024, as his contract was not extended, and only his salary conditions were restructured. Now, Aaron Donald will earn a total of $95 million dollars over the next three seasons, which means a salary increase of $40 million compared to this same contract before its restructuring.
Of that $95 million, $65 million is guaranteed through 2023 –by comparison, team quarterback Matthew Stafford has only $63 million guaranteed on his contract.
Thus, the 31-year-old defensive tackle becomes the highest-paid player in the entire NFL that does not play as a quarterback, and he is also the first defender to average more than $30 million in earnings per season in all of NFL history. In addition, he becomes the twelfth highest paid player in the entire NFL.
Is Aaron Donald Really Worth That Much Money?
Aaron Donald has been one of the most consistent defenders since his arrival in the league in 2014, and this is demonstrated by the fact that he has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his NFL seasons, and was awarded three times as Defensive Player of the Year.
Last season, he was crowned Super Bowl champion with his beloved Los Angeles Rams, who were under pressure this offseason after NFL salaries skyrocketed. Aaron Donald started this summer with an average salary of $22.5 million, which was the sixth-highest salary among defensive players — something that clearly did not do justice to his qualities.
Aaron Donald had already mentioned that he would be “comfortable” if his career ended this offseason after winning the Super Bowl, but the Rams made sure this didn’t happen by giving the defender the spot he deserves, and now they’ll be more than covered for at least three more years.
